42. Mr. Wainwrightasked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of employees and their grades who were recently dismissed by the Parkgate Steel Works; and how many have registered at the Mexborough Employment Exchange.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsMost of the 125 workers discharged on 23rd May were in clerical grades, but 2 laboratory technicians, 1 metallurgist and 1 works study engineer were also affected. Five of them registered for other employment at the Mexborough Employment Exchange and all of these are now in other jobs.
Mr. WainwrightDoes my hon. Friend realise that jobs are scarce within reasonable travelling distance for many of these people who have lost their jobs and that many of them are resident in my con- 962 stituency? Will my hon. Friend look into this matter so that employment of a suitable nature can be provided?
§ Mrs. WilliamsYes, we are aware of that. Therefore, I thought that my hon. Friend might be interested to know the figures for other employment exchanges. There are 44 people registered at Rotherham and one man at Maltby. Of these, all but four men and one woman are now employed.
§ Mr. O'MalleyWhat are the reasons for these dismissals? Is not one of the factors the substantial financial losses being made by this privately-owned steel plant?
§ Mrs. WilliamsAs far as the Ministry is aware, the main reason is the falling off in orders, which may be due to a number of factors.